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No risks taken over Andrew Flintoff

LANCASHIRE director of cricket Mike Watkinson insists no chances will be taken over Andrew Flintoff's fitness when he returns to action with the county later this month.

The England allrounder is back in the nets after six weeks out following keyhole surgery to repair a slight tear in the cartilage in his right knee. The 31-year-old felt discomfort while playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in April.

Watkinson said: "He now only plays when he is really fit. We have had the odd occasion when he has played as a bit of a fitness test, broken down, things like that. Those situations will be avoided.

"He won't be full of cricket, that's impossible, but if you pick him to bowl 12 or 16 overs in a day, then you have got to know he can do that."